Welcome to the Bunion Center of the Lehigh Valley, a division of PA Foot And Ankle Associates. We'll resolve your bunion pain as quickly as possible.

We are the leading experts in bunion correction and chronic bunion pain in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. We utilize non-invasive conventional and a variety of state of the art surgical solutions that correct any bunion deformity or previously failed correction with minimal downtime, scarring and incision. We offer a unique bone-welding technique to fuse the bones rather than conventional screw-plate fixation.

In medical terms, a bunion, or hallux valgus, is a bony bump that forms around the joint at the base of your big toe. This joint is one of the most important parts of your foot, bearing most of your body weight. The bony bump is caused by the head of the first metatarsal bone (the long bone) behind the big toe angling out from the foot. This causes the joint to swell, pushing the big toe in towards the adjacent toes. The result is pain on the side of your foot, arch pain, and discomfort throughout the adjacent toes as well.

“I thought about havingbunion surgery for years. I wish I would have done it sooner.” - Christina, Bethlehem, PA

What causes a bunion?

Bunions have a number of causes, primarily genetics and bad choices in footwear. We inherit traits like flat feet, abnormal bone structure, and loose ligaments and tendons from our parents. When our feet are weakened by these traits and we stuff them into high heels or shoes which don't support our feet correctly, the repeated stress on the front of the foot may contribute to the formation of a bunion. Other contributing factors are jobs that demand a lot of time standing, obesity, and sudden hormonal changes and weight gain, as in pregnancy.

Unfortunately, bunions can lead to many other foot conditions as well. The joint behind the big toe carries much of your body weight and when the bunion makes it sore, you shift your weight onto other areas of the foot. That's why we frequently see crossover toes, overlapping toes, hammer toes, corns, calluses, and ingrown toenails accompanying bunions. As pain in your foot increases, you'll also reduce your activity, becoming more sedentary, which has its own quality-of-life issues.

"I've had 2 surgeries for severe bunions; left foot Nov. 2012 and right foot 2015. My feet feel and look better and I can wear heels again! (something I couldn't do for years). Minimal pain and scarring too. I am very happy!" - Natalie, Bethlehem

Pain, swelling, soreness, redness around the area of the big toe joint

Big toe pointing towards adjacent toes

Difficulty moving your big toe

Corns or calluses where the 1st and 2nd toes overlap

Pain when walking, created by your shoe rubbing on the protruding area

“I developed a bunion on my right foot and ignored it for two years. It was wearing out the side of my dress shoes faster than the soles. I finally had the surgery and now my foot looks perfect!” - Todd, Bethlehem

Treatment options for bunions

The non-invasive treatments for bunions are many and include changes in footwear, icing the sore area, over the counter pain medications, orthotic shoe inserts, and weight management. If these conservative measures fail to arrest your pain and discomfort, your foot and ankle surgeon may recommend a bunionectomy or similar surgical procedure, depending on your condition.

“I am so thankful that I found a doctor who removed my bunion, fixed my toes, and who has a sense of humor. He made my recovery a breeze!” - Deborah, Allentown